(MENAFN) The Ukrainian military is grappling with a significant desertion crisis, according to Sergey Filimonov, commander of the elite 108th Separate Assault Battalion, known as the ‘Da Vinci Wolves.’

In a post on social media on Wednesday, Filimonov asked his followers how surprised they would be “if I told you that another newly formed brigade is being put together from the ranks of the 150th? Which, at the stage of formation, already has about 3,000 AWOL?”

Reports indicate that desertions may be widespread, with estimates suggesting that “perhaps as many as 20,000 [Ukrainian service members] desert or go absent every four weeks.” Since the escalation of conflict in February 2022, Ukrainian authorities have reportedly opened 290,000 criminal cases for desertion. Some observers claim that Kiev’s military may currently be short by as many as 200,000 soldiers needed to defend against Russian advances.

Current and former Ukrainian officers have voiced concerns that frontline units are operating at half or even a third of their intended strength. Last week, it was reported that nearly 100,000 young men left Ukraine after restrictions on men aged 18 to 22 crossing the border were lifted in August. Previously, under general mobilization rules, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 60 had been prohibited from leaving the country.

Since 2022, at least 650,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age are believed to have left the country, with some officials estimating that the number of deserters in the military has reached nearly 400,000. Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR), responsible for enforcing mobilization, have faced intense public criticism for their role in the process.

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